Newsletter

Fantasy baseball: Chris Johnson not just a fantasy football star

The unofficial beginning of football season is tonight. Let's face it, if you're a Royals fan, the countdown began about a month ago, when Kansas City's eight-game deficit in the AL Central started sliding towards 10 games, then 15 and so forth.

As many fantasy owners (and David Glass) have probably learned by this point, the only thing worse than cheering for a last place team is owning a last place team.

It may be tempting to turn your attention to football when the countdown ends at 7 tonight with the Hall of Fame Game, but the games of consequence are still a month away. Believe me, I haven't been this excited to see Ochocinco and T.O. on television since the duo got their own VH1 reality shows. But the importance of fantasy baseball matchups down the stretch outweigh the significance of early August football drafts, and thus the focus continues to be on players who can turn your baseball season around.

Whether you're still in your league's baseball race or plotting football dominance in the fall, there's one name that can be therapeutic to any owner: Chris Johnson.

Some disgruntled owners have written off the baseball season and pinned their fantasy hopes on Johnson the way Nets fans counted on landing John Wall. Similar to the fortunes of New Jersey, odds are Johnson won't be on your football team unless you have the No. 1 pick. But if you act quickly, the name could be just as valuable for the home stretch of fantasy baseball season.

Chris Johnson, third baseman, Houston Astros: Like most players in the Astros' lineup, Johnson's role on the team changed when Lance Berkman was shipped to New York. However, the infielder's production was already on the rise before the trade deadline. Owners are starting to take note, and Johnson was the most added player in ESPN leagues last week. Seven days ago, the rookie was owned in less than 6 percent of leagues. Now he's owned in more than 60 percent, and the dramatic increase isn't just a result of sharing a name with the best running back in football.

He's gotten at least one hit in 17 of Houston's past 18 games, going 30-for-71 (.423) in that span. And despite batting seventh in the Astros lineup, the 24-year-old already has eight RBIs in August, along with four runs.

Travis Wood, starting pitcher, Cincinnati Reds: Wood is another rookie showing signs that he could provide a fantasy boost late in the season. He burst onto the scene in his third career start a month ago, pitching nine innings and allowing just one hit against the Phillies. Obviously his numbers have dipped since then, but in four starts since the near no-hitter in Philadelphia, Wood is proving he's a worthy option in deeper leagues. He picked up his first career wins in two starts last week and shut out the Pirates through seven innings to lower his ERA to 2.42.

Evan Meek, relief pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates: Reliable saves might be hard to come by, but as long as teams keep rotating closers, there will be free agents worth looking into. The Pirates current closer, Joel Hanrahan, is one of the 12 most added players in ESPN leagues after taking over the team's ninth inning duties. But after giving up two runs in his last outing, his short stint as closer may be over. Meek has pitched well all season and has only allowed five runs since June. Pittsburgh doesn't provide many save situations, but Meek, unlike Hanrahan, should make the most of his opportunities when he inherits the role.